As November descends upon us, the season of remembrance begins. This year, it seems all the more poignant with the recent tragic deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Remembrance is truly a season of reflection, gratitude and thankfulness.

This week, we’ll be remembering the gallant efforts of the Canadian military at the D-Day landing over 70 years ago. Please join us on Tuesday 4 November 2014 as Ted Barris brings to life the stories, photos and individuals of Canada’s military on that fateful day back in 1944. Ted’s lecture will be held in the Central Library Theatre starting at 7pm. No registration or ticket required. Information for the event can be found here.

Share this:

Like this:

An evening with Ted Barris, author of the Great Escape: a Canadian Story, on Monday May 5, 2014 at Country Hills branch, 6:30pm

As I’ve been working on the Soldier Card Project, I am continually reminded of the need for remembrance and commemoration of our military veterans and heritage. I recently picked up Ted Barris’ book, The Great Escape: a Canadian Story and thoroughly enjoyed it. Packed with fascinating details about prisoner of war life, Barris dispels the myths of the 1963 Hollywood movie by the same name. The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III is a great Canadian story – something which Hollywood and its storytelling machine frequently overlooks (remember Ben Affleck’s movie Argo?). Reading the book, I was constantly moved by the ingenuity, resourcefulness and courage of the Canadian airmen incarcerated at the Sagan prisoner camp and their role in planning, supporting and executing the attempted mass prison escape of 24 March 1944. The terrible retribution for the escape and the forced march of prisoners by their Gestapo captors ahead of the Soviet advance across Eastern Europe is retold through the eyes and stories of Canadian POWs by Barris in moving detail. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Canada’s military history and heritage.

We are fortunate to have author, Ted Barris, join us to discuss his book in Kitchener. I hope that you will join me on Monday May 5, 2014 at 6:30pm at the Country Hills Branch to welcome Ted and to hear about his research and the untold Canadian story of the Great Escape. It’s a free event, but registration is required. Register online or call the Country Hills branch or InfoLink.